The Ionia girls basketball team looked to avenge an early-season loss to DeWitt Friday night as both teams began the second half of Capital Area Activities Conference Red play.

The Bulldogs trailed by six at halftime, but the Panthers kicked off the third quarter with an 8-0 run to take a 37-19 lead and never looked back as they handed Ionia a 51-36 defeat.

After a strong showing against Lansing Catholic on Tuesday, Bulldog coach Andy Barr said he felt good about the way his players were moving the ball and playing solid team basketball.

However on Friday, that wasn't the case.

"Right now we are disappointed with the loss. We didn't play as well as a team as we did Tuesday," he said. "DeWitt is a good team and their defensive pressure didn't help, but we need to be better as a team moving the ball on offense."

DeWitt opened the scoring with a 6-0 run in the first quarter as the Bulldogs struggled to make baskets early. However, the Lady Dawgs were able to storm back by outscoring the Panthers 6-3 over the final three minutes of play to make it a 9-6 game after one.

Taylor Bovee scored five points early as the Bulldogs took an 11-10 lead, but the Panthers answered with an 11-0 run to take the lead, but Ionia again rallied to make it a 25-19 game at the half.

Taylor Bovee led Ionia with 11 points and four assists. Joanna Miller finished with six points and Megan Nickell scored five.

Ionia (7-5, 3-3 in CAAC Red) will play host to county rival Belding Tuesday night in non-conference action.